Gin & Jandals

Chris and Mark break their New Zealand-only rule for McQueen and the Violet Fog, a Brazilian gin boasting 21 botanicals and sugarcane roots. Packed with poetic backstory and celebrity hype, will this foreign experiment deliver high-caliber flavor or feel like drinking washing-up liquid? Tune in to find out!

Chris and Mark check out Tahu Gin, the world's first Māori-based spirit distilled between Whanganui and Raglan. Packaged in an extraordinarily tall bottle, this 41.25% ABV classic dry gin promises a smooth, easy-drinking style. Does its premium price tag deliver a story worth telling?

Chris and Mark head to Dunedin with Number Eight Distillery’s Dunners Dry Gin. Packaged in a unique conical flask bottle, this native-meets-traditional spirit packs a punchy, verdant kawakawa bite. Is this "bushy" brew a versatile staple or just a chemistry experiment?

Chris and Mark mark Episode 81 with an obscure barrel-aged Pinot Grigio gin from Waiheke Island. Featuring macadamia and a 38% ABV, this unique bottle blends wine notes with spirits. Will the hosts discover a hidden gem, or plunge into a waterfall of disgust

Chris and Mark raise an "Oogi Wawa" toast to Iti, a "little" gin from the sunny Bay of Plenty. Behind a black-and-white Mount Maunganui label, does this nutmeg-hinted classic justify its hefty $80 price tag? Join the guys to find out!

Is the party really in the back? Chris and Mark dissect Clarity’s Sundrop Gin, exploring its "mullet" bottle and 11 botanicals. They debate if this $62 spirit is a summer essential or a "Monday to Thursday" staple. Tune in to see if these good times roll

Mark and 'special' guest Nick dive into the 57% ABV Lighthouse Hawthorne Edition. Exploring its "firm botanical backbone" and zesty citrus profile, the duo debates if this bottle is a winter winner or a Sunday night "also-ran". Plus, they reveal a unique post-nap tasting strategy.

Chris and Mark hit Episode 77 with Wellington’s Whistlebird Solstice Gin. They explore the mystery of "ultrasonic" elephants and debate whether this zesty spirit belongs in summer or winter. Join the "Everyman" reviewers as they decide if this distinctive bottle is a mellow masterpiece

Chris and Mark explore the NZ Gin Day 2025 souvenir gin by Sandy Mount Distillery. Dubbed the "platypus of gin", this spirit features botanical contributions from across the country. The hosts debate if this committee-designed bottle is a unique success or a confusing identity crisis.

Chris and Mark toast " Fi sihtak " to a special edition gin from the National Distillery. As the distillery faces liquidation, the guys dive into a clear Damson Plum Gin. Is this 44% ABV spirit a bittersweet swan song or a plum-forward masterpiece?

Chris and Mark toast "Yucky da" as they explore Milford Gin. This episode dives into the spirit's Welsh connections and a unique botanical: lava seaweed. Is the striking black bottle hiding a premium masterpiece? Join the guys to uncover a mysterious "green" tasting experience

Chris and Mark warp into the universe of Scapegrace Blood Moon Gin. Amidst Klingon toasts and Star Trek debates, they put this ubiquitous "Blood Moon" spirit to the test. Is it a premium masterpiece or just a "stunning" bottle? Tune in to see if their blood screams

Chris and Mark return to cozy up with C oatesvillian Black Label. This self-described "winter gin" promises a spicy, citrus warmth perfect for autumn firesides. Does this orange and cardamom-infused spirit earn its merit, or is it just a thin polar fleece?

Chris and Mark offer a "Bar Salamati" as they dive into the vibrantly orange Rose and Twig Blood Orange Gin. They debate its rectangular "house brick" bottle design and questionable sweetness. Is this 37.5% ABV spirit a summer staple or just a cocktail in a glass

Chris and Mark review Jardim from Waiheke Island’s Heke Bar and Distillery . This episode explores a Portuguese-inspired "garden" gin featuring botanicals foraged right on the island. Join the "working man's reviewers" as they decide if this premium bottle is worth the ferry ride.

Chris and Mark kick off 2026 by diving into their first-ever Navy strength gin. They explore the explosive "gunpowder" history behind the spirit while taste-testing the award-winning Clarity Navy Gin. Find out if this high-proof bottle lives up to its reputation in our season premiere

The 2025 Gin and Jandals Awards are here!. We’re tackling the year's most surprising, overpriced, and disappointing bottles. From Amada’s simplicity to the unique Wakami & Lime, which spirits soared and which fell flat? Grab a glass to see who claimed the Supreme Prize!

The team celebrates the season by uncorking Wild Rain Pink Gin from Reefton Distilling. Marketed as "juicy berry deliciousness" at a bargain price, could this be the next great New Zealand gin? Join the hosts to discover if it is truly summer in a glass.

This week, we ditch proper gin for the Batched Strawberry Rhubarb Gin Sour , a "posh RTD" designed specifically for those who can't be bothered mixing.

Prepare for a punch in the chops! The hosts tackle Dr. Beak Juniperus Gin , a pricey 48% ABV spirit. This wildly aggressive, juniper-forward pour demands extreme over-tonicking to tame its initial "mouth encapsulate" kick. A hardcore gin lover's challenge!

Join the Gin and Jandals podcast as we sample Imagination Gin's Wakame and Lime dry gin, a unique New Zealand spirit. We explore the seaweed base and the impressive textured bottle. This gin is a pleasant, higher-tier winne r , tasting good both neat and in a G&T

Join us as the hosts offer a salute to the King and review Coronation Gin, a 40% London dry gin commemorating the 2023 coronation of King Charles III. Purchased from the Tower of London, the gin is subtly flavored with juniper and citrus notes. The hosts debate if this non-polarizing "Princess Anne of gins" is worth its price tag.

The hosts review Amada Premium Dry Gin from the Bay of Plenty. This "straight up honest gin" features a simple botanical blend: juniper, coriander, licorice root, and angelica. Praised for its 42% ABV and smooth mouthfeel, the simple gin is versatile and earns high praise from the hosts

Stuck on a dreary Auckland Friday, the Gin & Jandals seek summer cheer with K arvin Dry Gin , a contemporary, award-winning spirit. Mark and Chris investigate claims of organic botanicals and artisan water. While struggling to enjoy it neat, a resulting Gin and Tonic earns a "resounding positive." Tune in to hear why this subtle sipper is deemed essential for a slightly special summer.

We review 69 Brosses Gin Classica a Spanish gin from Valencia. Named after the founder's birth year (not botanicals), it features botanicals like juniper, cardamom, cilantro, and angelica. At 37.5% alcohol, it has a herby and floral flavor that's silky when neat. Mixed with tonic, it remains a classic, balanced gin with undiluted flavor.